Amelia Rayno's short takes on college basketball

January 11, 2014 - 12:21 AM

AMELIA RAYNO’S SHORT TAKES

• While Bill Self has made it clear he’s not interested in beginning a new home-and-home rivalry with Wichita State, Kansas State’s Bruce Weber seems somewhat intrigued by the idea of a new in-state tradition. “I’m not against it,” Weber told the Wichita Eagle. “But scheduling is one of the most difficult things about coaching. I don’t think people have any idea how hard it is. It might be more difficult than even recruiting.”

• Feel like Duke just isn’t the same imposing giant it usually is? The nation agrees. For the first time in six years — SIX YEARS! — the Blue Devils have dropped out of the Associated Press top 10. Duke is No. 16 in the poll released Monday, falling from No. 7 the week before. According to NBC’s College Basketball Talk, Duke’s streak of 122 weeks in the top 10 was the second longest of all time. UCLA leads with a run of 155 weeks in the 1970s. Michigan State now claims the longest active streak, 16 weeks.

• After more than two months of play, five unbeaten teams remain (in order of kenpom.com ranking): Arizona (16-0), Wisconsin (16-0), Syracuse (15-0), Iowa State (14-0) and Wichita State (16-0). Meanwhile, there is a lone winless team: Cornell, 0-13.

• Looking for a way to waste some money? One of former North Carolina coach Dean Smith’s recruiting letters to Michael Jordan is up for auction. The opening price is $5,000.